clearly, for those who take an entire 3 seconds to think about it, one can figure out that what the sign is saying is to keep your car INSIDE the yellow line, and no further. A parking sign only applies to a specific area. Think of it this way: If a sidewalk has the sign "Parking 9:00am - 5:00pm", does that mean every car in the city, wherever it is, can only park in those hours? (...the answer is "no")

a bit of a problem with regards to frame of reference, but still-

NOT BROKEN

Posted by: julo at April 3, 2006 04:15 AM

I'm guessing they mean "These (yellow marked spaces) for authorized vehicles only" but why don't they say that?and how about that advert- for the towing company?

I looked at these pictures for a probably a full minute and I was still perplexed with the sign. So there goes your 3 second theory. Perhaps you have seen signs like this before, however I have not and I found it confusing. Broken.

Posted by: Chaos at April 3, 2006 09:23 AM

The problem, I think, is that the frame of reference is unclear. Does it mean no vehicles can enter the three-space area? Does it mean vehicles inside the area can't extend out of it? Does it mean vehicles, once in it, can't leave? Does it mean vehicles outside the area can't extend into it?

Posted by: Fuzzy at April 3, 2006 09:45 AM

Seems like it should say "PARK WITHIN YELLOW LINE". I wonder if the (unidentified) parking authority gets a kickback from Jim's for allowing them to advertise?

Posted by: Mr.Mike at April 3, 2006 11:52 AM

Interesting point Mr Mike. Exactly who is the unidentified parking authority? Don't signs usually list the by-law # or something? & what about the warning that offenders will be tagged &/or towed?

Maybe Jim's towing put the sign up!

Posted by: >>> at April 3, 2006 12:54 PM

The signs have nothing to do with your vehicle not extending out of the parking spaces. The parking spaces are restricted parking. First, if you read the towing company sign it clearly says all unauthorized vehicles will be towed. I also imagine the towing company name and number is there so you will know where to find your car if it's towed. Finally, everytime I've ever seen parking spaces with a line painted behind them it meant restricted parking and had signs indicating as much.

Posted by: zek at April 3, 2006 12:59 PM

I don't think the sign refers to hanging your bumper out the back of the space. If that were the case, it seems like the line would extend the length of the lot and not just cover those four spots. That said, I'm not sure what's going on, except that the spots are reserved for some reason. The generic tow company sign states "unauthorized" vehicles, but that seems to be trumped by the "no vehicles" of any kind sign put up specifically for this location. Maybe whatever business runs the lot stacks garbage here, and it's just easier to have the area permanently blocked off instead of roping it off every Monday and Thursday? But, oh, to have the power to make a line past which all vehicles are not allowed from there to the edge of the galaxy, forever and ever, amen!

Posted by: Ron Mexico at April 3, 2006 01:13 PM

So there seem to be at least three reasonable explanations as to what the sign means: (1) Only authorized vehicles are to park in these spaces; (2) NO vehicles are to park in these spaces; (3) ANY vehicle may park in these spaces, so long as they don't stick out past the yellow line. Since there is no way to tell which of these options the parking lot owners meant, is there anyone with the temerity to claim that this is not broken?

My theory: Whoever owns this lot had the sign lying around, and was too cheap to get a new one (that properly explained the situation) printed up. It was easier just to paint a yellow line on the parking lot.

Over in my former employer's parking lot, it was starting to snow. I got to work super-early that day. I parked in a great spot by the entrance. A few hours later, security called me and told me to move. I was in the employee-of-the-month spot, but didn't know it because it was only identified by lettering on the ground, which was covered with snow.

Posted by: Another Bob at April 3, 2006 04:08 PM

obviously you had not previously been choosen as the employee of the month or you would have known where the designated spot was.

(sorry Another Bob but that one was too good to pass up)

Posted by: :) at April 3, 2006 05:08 PM

I keep looking at the sign and asking myself "can I park there?" If you can't come up with a clear answer of yes or no, it's broken.

Posted by: Aaron at April 3, 2006 06:04 PM

There may be a somewhat reasonable explanation.

It appears as though the usage of the parking lot has changed from its original layout.

The wall to the far right looks to have been added. Possibly to obstruct the view of garbage containers. Maye the waste management co. requires thi area for sorting/replacement or manouvering there vehicles.

The area could be used for delivery vehicle manouvering..

If this is the case then a decision was made to leave the old parking space lines in place. Was it a concious decision to save time and maney or, was it that the minimum wage joe or jane was unsupervised and split saying 'you got yor stupid yellow line and your lame a** signs, it's hot out here, you never come to the back of the bldg. anyway so I'm outta here b**tch'.

Posted by: longhair at April 3, 2006 09:12 PM

I think Longhair's got it.... They just didn't paint the diagonal yellow stripes (in the area) that are used in my community. but I still say Broken.

Posted by: Timm at April 4, 2006 01:03 AM

So why has the car played it safe and parked parallel to the yellow line and outside the parking boxes? Will they car get towed now??

Posted by: hoi! at April 4, 2006 03:57 AM

Longhair got what I first deduced on looking at it... I was all eager reading through the thread hoping to add a new theory- but eh- there it is.